Best of the Beach

Coors Light: Shooting cool ads in Alaska

Coors Light: Shooting cool ads in Alaska

/ April 10, 2013 5:39 pm

The call came in the morning. The flight to Alaska was leaving in the afternoon. Producer Steve Fredriksz wanted to know if photographer Ken Pagliaro could make the flight. The longtime Manhattan Beach friends had often talked about working together, but until that day last January, they hadn’t had the opportunity.

Best Shop Shaper: Dennis Jarvis, Spyder Surfboards

/ March 14, 2013 6:10 pm

In the late ’70s, Sypder Surfboard shaper/owner Dennis Jarvis crafted boards for the likes of Mark Cuff, Matt Warshaw, Mark Theodore, Allen Sarlo, and a young Chris Frohoff.

Best Underground Shaper: Dan Cobley

Best Underground Shaper: Dan Cobley

/ March 14, 2013 6:08 pm

Dan Cobley 3-peats this year in the Best of the Beach’s “Underground Shaper” title, having won in both 2011 and 2012.

Best Golf Course: The Lakes

/ March 14, 2013 6:06 pm

The Lakes is a municipal golf course owned by the City of El Segundo and has enjoyed tremendous success since it opened in June 1994.

Best Sports Store: Village Runner

Best Sports Store: Village Runner

/ March 14, 2013 6:04 pm

A specialty running store that has served thousands of runners and walkers, Village Runner offers new running shoes, apparel and accessories at two locations in the South Bay.

Best Martial Arts: Elite

/ March 14, 2013 6:02 pm

Located in Redondo Beach, the Elite Training Center provides self-defense and fitness to people of all ages, from the general public to the military, police officers and others who protect the public.

Best Neighborhood Gym: Studio Pulse

/ March 14, 2013 6:00 pm

Convenient to the South Bay in the Whole Foods Plaza in Redondo Beach, Studio Pulse, a Mad Dogg-licensed studio, offers Spinning(r), Strength Training, Core and Stretch classes.

Best Health Club: Spectrum Athletic Clubs

/ March 14, 2013 5:59 pm

Spectrum Athletic Clubs is a repeat winner that offers an array of amenities including pools, saunas, certified personal trainers, group fitness classes, a wide variety of exercise equipment and an Interactive Kids Club.

Best Bike Shop: Hermosa Cyclery

Best Bike Shop: Hermosa Cyclery

/ March 14, 2013 5:57 pm

Hermosa Cyclery continues its reign as top Bike Shop.

Best Personal Trainer: Trent Mitchell

Best Personal Trainer: Trent Mitchell

/ March 14, 2013 5:51 pm

Training men and women, Mitchell is certified in a numerous area and uses a synergistic approach designed specifically around a person’s specific goals and needs.

Best Sailing Lessons: South Bay Sailing

Best Sailing Lessons: South Bay Sailing

/ March 14, 2013 5:49 pm

Wes Houston was in the 6th grade visiting a friend’s home when the friend’s dad got mad at his son, took the two sixth graders down to King Harbor and pushed them out to sea in a sabot.

Best Surf Shop: ET Surf

Best Surf Shop: ET Surf

/ March 14, 2013 5:46 pm

In an era where a customer can get lost in surf shops that resembles a giant discount emporium or a pretentious art gallery and customers are forgotten by the smug help, ET Surf stays true to its 1972 roots.

Best Running Race: Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K & Manhattan Beach 10K (TIE)

Best Running Race: Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K & Manhattan Beach 10K (TIE)

/ March 14, 2013 5:44 pm

Drawing nearly 10,000 race enthusiasts, the Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K/5K Run/Walk presented by Kaiser Permanente has become one of the largest Super Bowl celebrations in Southern California.

Best dive shop: Dive N’ Surf

Best dive shop: Dive N’ Surf

/ March 14, 2013 5:40 pm

Dive master Tony Vanore said what he likes most about teaching at Dive N’ Surf is that it’s “an old fashion hometown dive shop.” Vanore has been a dive instructor since 1989, and has taught at the YMCA, Club Med and a large chain sports shop.

Best romantic dinner: La Sosta Enoteca

/ March 14, 2013 1:29 pm

Simple décor, candlelight and the smell of rustic, authentic Italian cuisine make cozy La Sosta a go-to spot for couples celebrating birthdays and anniversaries or just seeking a romantic evening out together.